Brighton & Hove Albion produced an incredible display to humble champions Arsenal, knocking them off top spot and putting themselves in third place.
Arsenal were out-played from the off and well below par, but so much credit should go to the home side who made the previously ultra-confident Mikel Arteta outfit nervous and unsure about making even simple passes in their own half.
The Seagulls, who are now two points behind Manchester City and Arsenal, were given reward for their dominance just before the half-hour mark when Pascal Gross, given space outside the area, curled a low effort home from 25 yards, flicking the inside of David Raya’s near post.
Then, just before the interval, after Bukayo Saka was denied by Bart Verbruggen at one end, the ball was quickly played to the other where the impressive Charalampos Kostoulas – given time to turn – fired home from 20 yards.
Brighton, celebrating their 125th anniversary, saw their total control even spread to set-pieces with Chema Andres, making his full debut, rising highest at the far post to head home Gross’ corner.
Things could have been even worse for Arsenal with substitutes Georginio Rutter and Matt O’Riley missing clear chances before Malick Yalcouye hit the bar – and Declan Rice was fortunate not to be dismissed for kicking out at Yalcouye just before the final whistle.
